What dangers lurk in the messages your child sends and receives?
You’ll only know if you monitor their texting activity.
That’s why we’ve put together a list of the 9 best parent text monitoring apps out there.
As you read through it and make your choice, keep in mind the importance of your child’s privacy. If there are tools that can keep them safe while preserving their privacy, it’s a win-win for everyone.
It can go a long way in preserving a healthy and trusting relationship with your child.
Here’s our top 9:
1. Canopy – Best Text Monitoring App Overall
2. Famisafe – Best for Detecting Keywords
3. mSpy – Best for Real-Time
4. Bark – Best for Detecting Bullying
5. Qustodio – Best For Managing Who Your Kid Texts
6. Eyezy – Best for Seeing Deleted Messages
7. Mobile Spy – Best for Seeing Social Media Activity
8. Mobistealth – Best for Watching Phone Activity
9. WebWatcher – Best for Going Undetected
9 Best Parent Text Monitoring Apps
Below you’ll find the 9 best parent text monitoring apps on the market with their app’s core features, pricing, tech compatibility, pros and cons listed out.
You can skim through them one by one or take a quick look at our feature comparison chart below to find out which parental control app is right for you.
1. Canopy – Best Text Monitoring App Overall
The shocking truth is that 1 in 7 teens send sexually explicit texts, while 1 in 4 receive them.
And as sextortion cases continue to rise, it’s more important than ever to ensure your child is safe from these dangers.
Enter Canopy, the best parental control app for preventing sexting and monitoring texts. With its cutting-edge nudity detection feature, Canopy quickly alerts you if your child sends or receives explicit images, allowing you to intervene and protect them before things escalate.
But it doesn’t stop there. Canopy’s advanced web filtering also prevents your child from accidentally or deliberately accessing explicit content online.
That’s why it earns our top spot; Canopy safeguards your child from the most significant online threat–child pornography–all while preserving their privacy and your relationship.
→ Choose Canopy to confidently protect your child in the digital world. ←
Key Features:
- Detects nudity in received or sent photos to prevent sexting
- Sends parents an approval request if nudity is detected in photos taken
- Allows custom URL, app, and category blocking
- Provides website blocking and smart-filtering within websites
- Offers scheduled screen time and downtime
- Includes location alerts and tracking
Compatibility:
- Android devices (smartphones and tablets, Android 5.0 or later)
- iPhones and iPads (iOS 12 or later)
- Apple computers running a recent version of MacOS
- Computers running a recent version of Windows OS
Pricing:
Canopy offers a free 7-day trial on all of its paid plans.
Beyond the trial it’s:
- $7.99/month to protect 3 devices
- $9.99/month or $99.99/year to protect 5 devices
- $15.99/month to protect up to 10 devices
Pros
- Monitors phone and messages for sexting
- Blocks and filters out inappropriate content on your child’s device
- Maintains privacy while still protecting child from harmful actions
Cons
- Doesn’t allow you to read or see text messages
- Can drain device battery
- Limited to 10 devices
2. Famisafe – Best for Detecting Keywords
Famisafe offers a suite of features designed to keep your child safe and help them develop responsible digital behavior.
Key Features:
- Monitor text messages and call logs
- Real-time location tracking and geo-fencing
- Block inappropriate apps and websites
- Set screen time limits and schedules
- Detect risky keywords in messages and social media apps
Compatibility:
- Android devices (Android 4.4 or later)
- iPhones and iPads (iOS 9 or later)
Pricing:
Monthly Plan: $10.99/month for monitoring up to 5 devices
Quarterly Plan: $20.99/quarter for monitoring up to 10 devices
Annual Plan: $60.99/year for monitoring up to 10 devices
Pros:
- Offers a comprehensive set of monitoring features
- Works well on Android devices
- Cost-effective, especially for larger families
Cons:
- Doesn’t prevent sexting
- Limited iOS compatibility and features
- Requires frequent updates to maintain functionality
- Customer support may be slow to respond
3. mSpy – Best for Real-Time Text Monitoring
mSpy provides real-time text monitoring capabilities so you can keep a close eye on your child’s text messages and online activities.
Key Features:
- Real-time text message monitoring
- Access to call logs and contact lists
- Monitors social media apps and instant messaging platforms
- GPS location tracking with geo-fencing
- Keylogger feature to track typed text
Compatibility:
- Android devices (Android 4.0 or later)
- iPhones and iPads (iOS 7 or later, with or without jailbreak)
Pricing:
Basic plan starts at $26.99 per month
Premium plan starts at $69.99 per month
Family plan starts at $359.97 per year
Pros:
- Provides real-time text monitoring
- Compatible with both Android and iOS devices
- Extensive list of monitoring features
Cons:
- Expensive compared to other options
- Requires physical access to the target device for installation on Android
- Some features require a jailbroken iPhone
4. Bark – Best for Detecting Bullying
Bark is another parent text monitoring app you could consider. It uses algorithms to monitor your child’s texts, apps, social media, and web searches.
Where Bark falls short is in its inability to prevent sexting.
Key Features:
- Monitors text, app, social media, and web searches
- Uses an algorithm to detect bullying and prevent suicide
- Offers scheduled screen time and downtime
- Provides location alerts
- Sends detailed reports and recommendations to parents
Compatibility:
- iPhones and iPads (iOS 11 or later)
- Android devices (Android 5 or later)
Pricing:
Bark offers a 7-day free trial and:
$14/month or $99/year for Bark Premium
$5/month or $49/year for Bark Jr.*
*Bark Jr. is for parents with younger kids. It won’t include text or email monitoring or send alerts for issues like cyberbullying or suicide.
Pros
- Monitors for signs of cyberbullying
- Can be used on unlimited devices
- Works with over 30 different social media platforms
Cons
- Doesn’t prevent sexting
- Expensive app at more than $165 annually
- No uninstall protection
- Potential for false alerts (content that isn’t dangerous)
Read our guide: Canopy vs. Bark
5. Qustodio – Best For Managing Who Your Kid Texts
Qustodio gives parents control over who their children can text.
You can create a list of blocked contacts and the app provides you with alerts if your child tries to access blocked content.
Key Features
- Create a list of contacts your child can’t text
- Block URLs and apps from being accessed
- Receive immediate alerts if they try accessing blocked content
- Scheduled screen time & downtime
- Activity reports sent to parents’ inbox
Compatibility:
- Desktops and laptops (Windows 7 – SP1 or later, macOS Yosemite 10.11-macOS Ventura 13)
- Chromebooks
- Android devices (Android 6 or later)
- iPhones and iPads (iOS 12 or later)
Pricing:
Small Plan – $54.95/year for monitoring of one device.
Medium Plan – $96.95/year for monitoring up to five devices.
Large Plan – $137.95/year for monitoring up to ten devices.
Pros
- Provides call and text logs
- Helps kids build positive digital habits
- Compatible with a wide range of devices
Cons
- Doesn’t prevent sexting
- Can’t block messages from apps other than ‘Messages’
- Expensive compared to other solutions
- May require technical knowledge to set up
6. Eyezy – Best for Seeing Deleted Messages
Eyezy helps parents view deleted messages on their child’s device. It can retrieve and display messages that have been removed, ensuring you have a complete picture of your child’s communication.
Key Features:
- Monitor texts, calls, and social media apps
- Real-time location tracking with geofencing
- View browsing history and block inappropriate websites
- Remote control of the child’s device (lock/unlock)
- Monitor app usage and set time limits
Compatibility:
- Android devices (Android 4.0 or later)
- iPhones and iPads (iOS 10.0 or later)
Pricing:
1 Month Standard Subscription: $14.99
3 Months Standard Subscription: $39.99
Yearly Standard Subscription: $59.99
Pros:
- Offers a wide range of monitoring features
- Easy to use and set up
- Real-time location tracking and geofencing
Cons:
- Slightly expensive compared to other solutions
- No free trial available
- No support for desktop or laptop devices
7. Mobile Spy – Best for Seeing Social Media Activity
Mobile Spy helps parents keep an eye on their child’s social media activity.
This parental control app provides insights into your child’s interactions on popular platforms, such as Instagram and Whatsapp, helping you ensure their safety and well-being online.
Key Features:
- Monitors social media activity across popular platforms
- Tracks text messages and call logs
- GPS location tracking with history
- Access to photos and videos on the device
- Remote control of the target device
Compatibility:
- Android devices (Android 4.0 or later)
- iPhones and iPads (iOS 6.0 to 9.1)
Pricing:
Basic Plan: $9.99/month
Standard Plan: $14.99/month
Premium Plan: $19.99/month
Pros:
- Comprehensive social media monitoring
- User-friendly interface and easy setup
- Remote control feature provides added convenience
Cons:
- Limited compatibility with newer iOS versions
- No geofencing or screen time limit features
- Quarterly billing may be inconvenient for some users
8. Mobistealth – Best for Watching Phone Activity
Mobistealth is a good option for parents who want to closely monitor their child’s phone activity including their texts, who they call, and where it’s located.
Key Features:
- Text message monitoring
- Call recording and monitoring
- Email monitoring
- Social media monitoring (WhatsApp, Facebook, Snapchat, etc.)
- Location tracking with geo-fencing
Compatibility:
- Android devices (Android 4.0 or later)
- iPhones and iPads (iOS 9.0 or later)
Pricing:
Pro Plan: $59.99/month, $149.99/quarter, $299.99/year
Pro-X Plan: $69.99/month, $179.99/quarter, $349.99/year
Pros:
- Offers a comprehensive set of monitoring features
- Works on both Android and iOS devices
- Provides remote access to the target device
Cons:
- Pricing is on the higher side compared to other apps
- No free trial available
- Requires physical access to the target device for installation (except for iOS with iCloud credentials)
9. WebWatcher – Best for Going Undetected
WebWatcher is for parents who want to discreetly monitor their child’s text messages and online activities without them knowing.
While we don’t typically recommend parental control without a child’s knowledge, we understand every family’s situation is unique and that you have your child’s best interests at heart.
Key Features:
- Undetectable monitoring of text messages and call logs
- Social media and instant messaging app tracking
- Browsing history and web search monitoring
- GPS location tracking
- Alerts for risky behavior and keywords
Compatibility:
- Android devices (Android 4.0 or later)
- iPhones and iPads (iOS 8.0 or later)
- Windows PCs (Windows Vista, 7, 8, 10)
- macOS computers (OS X 10.8 or later)
Pricing:
$10.83/month or $129.95/year for monitoring one device
Pros:
- Operates discreetly without alerting the child
- Compatible with a wide range of devices
- Provides alerts for risky behavior and keywords
Cons:
- More expensive than some other options
- Some users report difficulties with installation and setup
- Lacks advanced features like geo-fencing and screen time limits
How We Made Our Selection
When evaluating the top parental text monitoring apps, we considered several important factors to ensure that we provide a comprehensive list of the best options available in 2023.
Our selection aims to cater to different needs, preferences, and budgets, providing you with the best options to keep your children safe in the digital world.
Canopy, our number one pick, stands out due to its sexting prevention, content filtering features, and its commitment to maintaining a balance between your child’s safety and their privacy.
Each app was judged on the following criteria:
Price
We looked at the cost of each service, including subscription fees and the number of children/devices that can be monitored under each plan.
We also considered whether they offer free trials or free versions with limited features.
This helped us understand the value for money each app provides and determine which one offers the best solution for different budget ranges.
Installation
Ease of installation and configuration is essential for any app.
We considered how straightforward it is to set up each app on different devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and computers.
We also looked at whether the app requires any technical knowledge or expertise, and how user-friendly the setup process is for parents.
Capabilities
We assessed each app’s compatibility with various operating systems (iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS) and devices.
We also examined their core features, such as text monitoring, social media monitoring, screen time management, location tracking, and content filtering.
This helped us determine which apps offer the most comprehensive set of tools to keep children safe in the digital world.
UX and UI
The user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) play a crucial role in ensuring that parents can navigate and utilize the app effectively.
We looked at the design and layout of each app, its intuitiveness, and the ease of accessing and understanding the data collected.
This way, we were able to recommend apps that parents will find easy and efficient to use.
User Reviews
The best way to know if something works is to speak to those who use it.
We considered the feedback from parents who have used these apps, focusing on their experiences and satisfaction with the apps’ features, performance, and customer support.
FAQs – Guide to Choosing a Parent Text Monitoring App
Why Do I Need a Parental App that Monitors Texts?
With tech comes the ability for our children to be constantly connected.
They can text, DM, and engage with their peers all day, every day—depending on the amount of access you allow them to have.
Those texts can pose a real danger to them if they’re not careful. Activities such as sexting and bullying can take place without you ever knowing, unless you have the right text monitoring app.
If you need a quick refresher on parental control, be sure to check out our article: What is parental control?
How Can I See My Kid’s WhatsApp Messages?
Apps like mSpy or Mobile Spy offer features for monitoring WhatsApp and other social media platforms.
Before you take this drastic step with parental control, it’s worth telling your child that you’ll have oversight of their private messages.
Can I Monitor My Child’s Devices Without Them Knowing About it?
Discreet monitoring is possible with apps like WebWatcher; however, it’s important to weigh the privacy implications.
What Is the Best Monitoring App for Parents?
Without a doubt, Canopy–it’s the parental control app that stands out due to its sexting prevention, content filtering features, and its commitment to maintaining a balance between your child’s safety and their privacy.
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